Navigating Digital Misogynoir: Black Women and Non-binary Femmes' Experiences, Resistance, and Resilience on a Social Media Platform

• In Event: Community-based Responses to Harm

Abstract

This manuscript explores the experiences of Black women and non-binary femmes navigating digital spaces, particularly Twitter, where they encounter misogynoir—the intersection of misogyny and racism uniquely impacting them. Using qualitative interviews and frameworks including Black Feminist Thought, Hip Hop Feminism, and Digital Feminist Hip Hop Sensibility, the research situates digital misogynoir within broader contexts of online discrimination and systemic oppression. The study examines how digital misogynoir profoundly affects participants' mental health, belonging, and overall well-being, and identifies harm reduction strategies such as digital resistance, community building, and self-care practices. The findings highlight the resilience of Black women and non-binary femmes, while recognizing limitations and ongoing challenges in addressing online harassment, marginalization, and erasure. By amplifying participants' voices, this research provides insights beneficial for researchers, activists, and policymakers working to combat digital misogynoir and protect marginalized communities online. Grounded in dissertation research, this study contributes valuable perspectives to the discourse on online violence and the lived realities and strategies of Black women and non-binary femmes navigating digital environments.

Author

• KáLyn (Kay) Coghill, Virginia Commonwealth University